Former SPEED member and singer Shimabukuro Hiroko is starring in the TV drama "Taigan no Kaji ~Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi~" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm). She plays Nakatani Juri, the wife of Nakatani Tatsuya (Dean Fujioka) and a hard-working career woman working for a foreign venture capital company. We asked Shimabukuro about what she kept in mind when playing the role of Juri and about some episodes from the filming set.
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Based on the novel "Taigan no Kaji" (Kodansha Bunko) by Akeno Kayoko, the story depicts the never-ending task of "housework" through Shiho (Mikako Tabe)'s interactions with "people on the other side of the river" who have different positions and ways of thinking than her.
--Please tell us how you felt when you found out you were going to appear in this film.
I was very surprised because I never thought I would be offered a role in a serial drama. The role was also unexpected. When I previously appeared as a guest on "After School Doctor" (Nippon TV / 2024), I played the role of a mother with a sixth-grade elementary school child, but I don't often have the opportunity to co-star with children, so I'm very happy to be involved in the work this time.
--Please tell us your impressions after reading the original work.
As I read, I empathized with the story so much that tears flowed without me realizing it. I wondered if the mother had the same feelings as Shiho and her friends, and I continued reading engrossed, relating my own experiences to the story.
On the other hand, when I read the script, I felt that it had a different feel from the original. I felt that the rhythm that is unique to film, such as the overall tone of the work and the tempo of the dialogue, was strongly conscious.
-What did you think of Juri as a character?
I felt that Juri in the original work was a very cool woman who was honest about her feelings. In the character materials for the drama, she was described as a person with a career that took her around the world, and who steadily achieved what she wanted to achieve, such as getting married and having children. I was impressed by the way she expressed her feelings succinctly and with few words.
Juri is also older than Tatchan (Nakatani), and has a calm, philosophical outlook on life. Even when Tatchan makes a surprising statement, she responds with a sense of urgency, almost like she's trying to explain it away, saying things like, "Don't these things happen?" This is a defining feature of the Nakatani family.
I have friends who grew up overseas and are active in the business world, and I felt that there was something in common with the vibe they exude, so I used her as inspiration. They are the kind of people who don't get carried away by the atmosphere of the situation and create a different kind of energy.
--Did the director have any requests?
I was asked to be especially mindful of two things: to respond cheerfully and to be strong. When I needed to communicate my intentions clearly, I tried to speak in a firm tone, and to be mindful of the nuance of "not that I don't read the mood, but that I choose not to."
--What was the most memorable thing about the glamping scene in episode 5?
The hug scene was particularly memorable. The director instructed me to "be conscious of the open feeling of overseas and express it strongly." I'm familiar with hugging culture myself, but it's rare to see it so abruptly, so I thought it was a typical Juri-like direction (laughs).
-What is your impression of Dean Fujioka?
From the first time we met, he was already Tatsu-chan, so I was able to completely accept him as Tatsu-chan. As we progressed to the second half, there were more scenes where he interacted with Pompon, and it was fun to watch the exchanges, which were almost like a battle. He was receptive to anything I said, so I was able to approach the role with ease.
--In episode 6 (broadcast on May 6th), there is a scene where the Nakatanis get into an argument.
That scene is my favorite. I think it's because of the deep trust that a husband and wife have that they can be so frank with each other.
Tatchan is my favorite character (laughs). Tatchan works so hard that every scene makes me think, "There aren't many husbands who work so hard." And Juri, who watches Tatchan, also sympathizes with how hard he works, but also points out the parts where he's a little off. The scene in episode 6 is a unique exchange that really shows the relationship between the two.
How was it performing with the children?
Mio (Igarashi), who plays Karen, is 2 years old, and I just couldn't help but love her. When I met her for the first time, I opened my arms and said, "Nice to meet you," and she hugged me. Her mother showed her a picture of me and had been practicing so that she could call me "Mom," and she still calls me "Mom" when we passed each other in the hallway.
Also, every time we filmed, he learned new words and I was surprised at how quickly he grew up. Also, there were scenes where I had to act in a bad mood even though I was in a good mood, and vice versa, so I think it must have been difficult.
--Please tell us your impression of Mikako Tabe.
Tabe-san is a person who really gives you a sense of security. She has a level atmosphere, and I can be myself. Even during rehearsals, she made everyone laugh with just the way she responded to lines, and even when I conveyed my emotions with just my eyes, she received them well. I think that this is something that can only be achieved with experience and a proven track record.
And yet, she is very cute. When I met her for the first time, she was so sparkly that I was entranced for a while. However, she has a natural, unpretentious aura, which makes her very comforting.
-Finally, please tell us what the highlights of this film are.
I think every scene is worth watching. The characters live their lives while seriously facing the events in front of them and the situations they find themselves in. I think that there are some parts of that that viewers can relate to. You may even make new discoveries, such as "There are other ways of thinking," or "Maybe it would be good to try living like this." You can also enjoy watching the adorable children grow up, so I hope you will watch every week without fail.
